Philip Rivers: 'Pathetic' of Giants to bench Eli Manning

Since the New York Giants announced Tuesday that franchise quarterback Eli Manning would be relieved of his starting duties in favor of Geno Smith, several prominent names have come out to express their opinions on the decision.

“I honestly thought it was pathetic, really,” Rivers told the Chargers’ official site on Wednesday. “The guy, he’s been out there 210 straight games with no telling how many bumps, bruises and injuries for his team. He won two Super Bowl MVPs, and the respect he’s had in the locker room over the years, and really the respect he’s gained throughout the league, you just feel like the guy has earned an opportunity. If they are in fact deciding to go another direction, I feel like he’s earned the opportunity to finish it off these last five weeks.”

Many fans are upset with the team’s decision to bench Manning and how nonchalantly it was done — as if he hasn’t been the face of the franchise for the past 13 seasons.

Manning and Rivers will always have a connection because the Chargers took Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 draft. Manning made it clear he would never play for that franchise, and the Giants made a deal to send Rivers (after selecting him No. 4 overall in 2004), a 2004 third-round pick, a 2005 first-round pick and a 2005 fifth-round pick to San Diego for Manning.